Ulster Bank Reviews 

Terrable service.
More charges and FEES than any other bank in my experience.
STAY AWAY
I have to change my bank after banking with them for >20yrs and when i discussed that with them they dont bother!

One Star cause I can't go any lower. I've checked my Ulster Bank Mobile Banking App and noticed a double payment for one transaction. The retailer confirms they have only one transaction showing so I shall have to contact the bank. It was only £20 in the transaction but it's my money. The payments both show pending so I shall have to wait but that gives me time to find somehow a number to phone!! At least I kept the receipt.

Update 24 Jul - phew. One payment went through but the extra payment remained as "pending" and eventually dropped off!

Very disappointing in every possible way

- It's easy for criminals to steal thousands of euros from your account without any consequences
- Useless customer service, they provide completely different answers every time when I call them
- Almost every problem I needed to solve with them in the last couple of years was a long and painful process, usually with a failure at the end.

I don't recommend them to anyone who would like to keep his/her money safe or who needs a competent customer service.

How in the name of god did this crowd get a license from the central bank. My wife has spoken to 5 different so called customer agents about closing her account with Ulster bank she has been given 5 different excuses for how it wasn’t done the branch manager wouldn’t, couldn’t, or possibly be bothered to contact her even after the customer care team if you can call them that emailed the bank with the problem was told to expect a phone call after the bank was closed. There are better financial institutions out there that don’t try to charge you for simply having an account with them with a substantial amount of money in it. Do your research or repent at your leisure look at the other reviews here everyone can’t be wrong.

Been discriminated and Profiled and the dundalk branch
This behaviour is unacceptable and people have this mindset should not be allowed to hold any position to deal with a multicultural clientele. Services like banks should not allow discrimination of colour class or creed. I am still upset about this issue and I think that ulster Bank should set an example to show that this behaviour will not be accepted

Absolutely Appalling customer service. The staff in the Belfast call centre which deals with the Republic of Ireland are extremely unhelpful and hung up on me for no justifiable reason. They could not answer my basic query.They talk over you and and seem to be quite ignorant. I never experienced this at another Bank. They keep you waiting an inordinate time and then refuse to allow you speak to a manager or supervisor after waiting on hold again as they say they are "at meetings". I was very disappointed and will close my accounts. The stress it caused me was phenomenal. What should have taken me 10 minutes took me about an hour ringing back and still my enquiry was not dealt with. I was very upset after the interaction.

By far the worst bank. I have been a customer for the past 10 years and gradually have seen a decline in service, the customer service is appalling.
The app to it's credit has improved but the systems/procedures they have in place are entirely flawed. Each department is just as bad as the other. From customer service, to admin, to fraud department. When calling customer service, its like pot luck, whether you will get a competent experienced worker or a renegade, who can clearly display utter incompetence and nonchalantly answering questions just to get you off the phone.
My worst experience was ordering a credit card before I went on holiday, I got it on the day I left to the US only to find out it was a dud card. They asked me to cut it up, the card number was off and it didn't work at all. Made my life hell.
Not to mention, the amount of times I had to call in to them due to fraudulent activity, in one year, my card was replaced 5 times.
I asked to be upgraded on my credit card, and they treated me like a new customer, asking for info such as which bank does my pay come into? (hello!) and to send them payslips... honestly, terrible, terrible bank from the management to the retail banks on the high street.
I have moved banks!
Never again. 10 years, and I didn't move because of my own sheer laziness. My own fault!

Worst bank out there. Do not use! I had fraudulent activity on my bank account to a large amount, called the fraud team and was basically accused of making these transactions myself. Member of staff on phone told me nothing to do with them and that I should have received my order even though this was placed by someone else. I had a total of 12 transactions on my account within the space of 20 minutes that I did not make. Still not sorted and I’m left with charges due to having been put in my overdraft the amount was that large that came out of my account. Absolutely shocking customer service. Have had to lodge a complaint and take it to the financial ombudsmen. Do not waste your time banking with Ulsterbank

Very rude unhelpful staff. The froze my account after 30 years of banking then closed my account without any explanation whatever. We were told they can close accounts anytime, it’s in the small print they said.

Customer with Ulster Bank uk for many years and yet declined Bounce Back loan its a disgrace. Went to other bank and within 48hrs was able to open busines account and get bounce back loan.

Similar happen to my wife she was customer of Ulster Bank uk for 8 years, got a loan- repaid overdraft repaid and was declined mortgage with £50000 deposit.
Went to other bank and within 5 weeks we got a new house.

Ulster you are not worth it.

I am disgusted with Ulster bank and the amount of money they are taking out of my account every month for charges,the fact that most people get paid their wages now through the bank leaves them no other options only to withdraw money when it is needed,I pay most of my Bill's throught direct debit or standing orders and use my card at point of sales,and have a perfect understanding of what they charge for!
I have estimated an average of €140 per annum for charges and think this is a total RIP of on their behalf,most people only have a average wage so having €3000 a month spare in their account to avoid charges is ridiculous so I'm looking at other banks for a better deal and as soon as I find it,its goodbye to the Ulster Bank for me and my family

Not even worthy of 1 star. They have gone from being a pretty good bank to the worst bank out there in a couple of years. Customer service, what customer service, it's non existing. They do everything in their power to get rid of customers. They think nothing of your loyalty and I know as I was with them for 40 years. Charges are among the highest out there and all the technical glitches they've had has cost me to be out of pocket. Thank God I've moved away from this bank and I would advise everyone to avoid it like the plague (or corona virus). AVOID AVOID AVOID.

I am so DISAPPOINTED to ULSTER BANK. I have asked for the service of certification of Passport and they told me they cant do it because they are not PROFESSIONALS and they do not know me personally. In the meanwhile, when I went to DANSKE Bank, the staff is more polite and patient but most importantly they said they could provide the service of certification as long as I have a bank account at there!
*** NOT to mention the slow service in ULSTER which is totally frustrating!

Total rip-off!!! Charged €120 for fees!! I’m changing banks... thieves. Worst bank ever

Ulster Bank, Branch Celbridge, Co Kildare.

I witnessed a staff member Brid, shouting at a customer. Disgraceful carry on. The worst customer service I have seen in a long time. 50% of staff too old and grumpy for frontline service.

We get enough training on dealing with unruly customers in my profession. I work in the retail sector and if a manager overheard me speaking to a customer that way. A written warning would be coming my way.

Poor customer service, painfully slow transactions and regular catastrophic system failure which leave you no access to your funds. Absolutely god awful!

By far the worst bank Iv ever dealt with! Went in to the Carlow branch 3 weeks ago to change bills around from one account to another and was told to do it online,I explained to the lady who’s name was Deirdre that I tried to log in online but it was asking me for a password with to many letters,basically asking me for the 12th latter when I didn’t have a 12 letter password. Anyway, changed one bill and then needed to create a standing order to which I was told I could do online,again I had to explain to her I could not log in. While talking to this girl she seemed no way interested in talking to me or helping me and was more interested in her lunch than me. After telling her that I couldnt log in she then left and told me someone else will be back to help me in a minute, to which 5 minutes later another lady came back to try help and set up a standing order, after giving her all the details I’m here 3 weeks later with no standing order set up,and back again trying to log into my anytime banking where I still can’t get in! Some of your staff need a hard lesson in customer service and how they deal with people! I can now see why everyone is complaining about not just the branch but the bank in general! If I could give -5 stars you’d certainly get it!

I made a transfer to UK bank account from ROI in GBP currency, somehow funds did not accepted by the receiver bank and had to return in to my account in ROI - of course it had to be converted back to Euros again.
Here it comes what happened :
***Received a letter suggesting 3 options what to do with it, filled the form and sent through my branch by using fax machine (30th Jan 2020 - Thursday).
***Next day no funds - rang CS, I was advised there will be 105.88 euros lost on currency conversion. I said ok lets do it (31st Jan 2020 - Friday).
***Went back to branch on 3rd Feb 2020 to report that there is still no funds. Assistant manager said so sorry about it, she rang the payment ops and explained. Person from payment ops asked assistant manager for me to sign the original fax sheet sent to them on 30th Jan 2020 stating that I do accept the lost of 105.88 Euros, so she will be completing the transfer. Assistant manager and I did exactly what she asked and sent it via fax again. This time I asked and received confirmation of fax been sent successfully.
***5th Feb 2020 - I received a letter dated back to 3rd Feb 2020 from bank saying what they want me to do with funds as today there is 105.88 Euros currency conversion lost on it, and if I don't inform the bank before 21st February this amount might chance. I thought we been through all this and funds should been transferred already. Went to bank branch again on the same day - 5th Feb 2020 - Wednesday as there is no funds. Showed the letter I received again, Assistant manager very embarrassed, rang the payment operations to check whats happening. Person answered the phone said they never received the fax last time ( I have sent confirmation in my hand !). Anyway she asked assistant manager to call back in 10 minutes, I went to grab a coffee and came back to branch, we made the phone call again and we advised transfer is completed. But when we check the account we realized they charged my account extra 563.06 Euros.
*** Assistant manager and I was very unhappy so she called the person in payment operations right away, and she been ask to file a complaint if I wish, otherwise it is what it is !. Assistant manager decided to file a complaint about this matter herself and she did (PHO-0263433120), provided detailed explanations+dates+proof of fax copy sent and confirmation of receipt. Case Handler answered me today after a month saying bank have done nothing wrong and sorry for your loss ! - he also mentioned to call him or go to FSPO Ombudsman if I am not happy with the decision !

Last an hour and half I am trying to call this person who send me the letter, so far complaint team answered my calls 5 times and hung up before I even could say hi !
When I am typing this I am still on waiting and listening the boring music. Last 5 minutes before 5 pm, I say no way they will answer :(

Case handler response was as below:
"WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ADVISED THAT THESE FUNDS WOULD BE CREDITED TO YOUR ACCOUNT WITH A LOSS OF 105.88 EUROS, IT WAS ALSO OUTLINED TO YOU IN THIS LETTER DATED 03 FEBRUARY 2020 THAT THIS AMOUNT WAS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. I HAVE INCLUDED THIS EXTRACT BELOW FROM THIS LETTER THAT YOU WOULD HAVE RECEIVED FROM OUR PAYMENT TEAM "

Never asked for this letter, as far as I am concern I was in the branch several times + spoke to payments team + agreed the 105.88 euros lost + signed the original fax sent to payment ops + received conformation of fax sent/received to payment ops + Have told funds will be transferred right away with 105.88 Euros less ! WHY BANK WOULD SEND ME ANOTHER LETTER WITHIN THE SAME DAY INSTEAD OF TRANSFERRING THE FUNDS ?

Next I have to print the complaint form for FSPO -

Now sat back and thinking what did I do wrong to deserve this treatment - after all my personal effort because someone in Payment Operations didn't do what they suppose to do, and case handler made a huge mistake on the case, why am I paying the price ?????

I am really concerned at the poor level of customer service of Ulster Bank. I would urge those that have written poor reviews to make official complaints and escalate these to the FCA.
After trying unsuccessfully to change bank, similarly to others I am still waiting my money, it has been several weeks now and is now compromising my ability to pay for my daughters Uni. fees. This is after visiting a partner bank to present my ID and many phonecalls to their customer banking contact numbers, both in their indian call centre and during office hours. They are unwilling/unable to pass customers through to a manager and my impression is that you are constantly 'fobbed' off. I have never been contacted by the closed account department. A complaints officer also 'refused' to take my request to make an official complaint. The web form is clunky and unresponsive.
Given the numerous one star reviews, which have very similar experiences as my own, I would urge all who read Trust Pilot reviews to consider these carefully, they seem to be measured, mirror my own experience.

18 years with them and for 18 years my credit card has been paid by direct debit at the end of each month.
I asked for an increase to my relatively small credit limit and twice it was declined. Despite always being cleared each month and having in excess of 10 times this limit on deposit.
Now I have almost nothing on deposit with them and my credit card with a different bank.
Their loss.